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Aoyagi, Kazuhei
JAEA-Review 2019-008, 20 Pages, 2019/07
JAEA-Review-2019-008.pdf:3.33MB
As part of the research and development program on the geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste (HLW), the Horonobe Underground Research Center, a division of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), is implementing the Horonobe Underground Research Laboratory Project (Horonobe URL Project) with the aim at investigating sedimentary rock formations. According to the research plan described in the 3rd Mid- and Long- term Plan of JAEA, "Near-field performance study", "Demonstration of repository design option", and "Verification of crustal-movement buffering capacity of sedimentary rocks" are the top priority issues of the Horonobe URL Project, and schedule of future research and backfill plans of the project will be decided by the end of 2019 Fiscal Year. The Horonobe URL Project is planned to extend over a period of about 20 years. The investigations will be conducted in three phases, namely "Phase 1: Surface-based investigations", "Phase 2: Construction phase" (investigations during construction of the underground facilities) and "Phase 3: Operation phase" (research in the underground facilities). This report summarizes the investigation program for the 2019 fiscal year (2019/2020). In the 2019 fiscal year, investigations in "geoscientific research", including "development of techniques for investigating the geological environment", "development of engineering techniques for use in the deep underground environment" and "studies on the long-term stability of the geological environment", are continuously carried out. Investigations in "research and development on geological disposal technology", including "improving the reliability of disposal technologies" and "enhancement of safety assessment methodologies", are also continuously carried out.
Sueoka, Shigeru; Tagami, Takahiro*
Island Arc, 28(4), p.e12305_1 - e12305_8, 2019/07
no abstracts in English
Murakami, Masashi; Hoshino, Yuzuru; Nakatani, Takayoshi; Sugaya, Toshikatsu; Fukumura, Nobuo*; Sanda, Toshio*; Sakai, Akihiro
JAEA-Technology 2019-003, 50 Pages, 2019/06
JAEA-Technology-2019-003.pdf:4.42MB
Toward the establishment of a common approach to determine the radioactivity concentrations in dismantling wastes arising from research reactors, radionuclide concentrations in the reactor structure materials of aluminum, carbon steel, shield concrete, and graphite of TRIGA Mark II reactor at Rikkyo University, Japan, were evaluated with both radiochemical analysis and theoretical calculation. The measured nuclides by the radiochemical analysis were 
H, 
Co, and 
Ni in aluminum, H, Co, Ni, and 
Eu in carbon steel, H, Co, and Eu in shield concrete, and H, 
C, Co, Ni, and Eu in graphite. Neutron-flux distributions and neutron-induced activities were computed with DORT and ORIGEN-ARP codes, respectively. Using the results of material composition analysis, radioactivity concentrations were conservatively predicted with good accuracy except for graphite material.
Takeuchi, Ryuji; Iwatsuki, Teruki; Matsui, Hiroya; Nohara, Tsuyoshi; Onoe, Hironori; Ikeda, Koki; Mikake, Shinichiro; Hama, Katsuhiro; Iyatomi, Yosuke; Sasao, Eiji
JAEA-Review 2019-005, 76 Pages, 2019/06
JAEA-Review-2019-005.pdf:24.91MB
The Mizunami Underground Research Laboratory (MIU) project is being pursued by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) to enhance the reliability of geological disposal technologies through investigations of the deep geological environment in the crystalline rock (granite) at Mizunami City, Gifu Prefecture, central Japan. On the occasion of the research program and management system revision of the entire JAEA organization in 2014, JAEA identified three remaining important issues on the geoscientific research program based on the latest results of the synthesizing research and development: "Development of countermeasure technologies for reducing groundwater inflow", "Development of modeling technologies for mass transport" and "Development of drift backfilling technologies". The research and development on three remaining important issues have been carrying out on the MIU project. In this report, the current status of the research and development activities and construction in fiscal year 2017 is summarized.
Onoe, Hironori; Kosaka, Hiroshi*; Matsuoka, Toshiyuki; Komatsu, Tetsuya; Takeuchi, Ryuji; Iwatsuki, Teruki; Yasue, Kenichi
Genshiryoku Bakkuendo Kenkyu (CD-ROM), 26(1), p.3 - 14, 2019/06
In this study, it is focused on topographic changes due to uplift and denudation, also climate perturbations, a method which is able to assess the long-term variability of groundwater flow conditions using the coefficient variation based on some steady-state groundwater flow simulation results was developed. Spatial distribution of long residence time area which is not much influenced due to long-term topographic change and recharge rate change during the past one million years was able to estimate through the case study of the Tono area, Central Japan. By applying this evaluation method, it is possible to identify the local area that has low variability of groundwater flow conditions due to topographic changes and climate perturbations from the regional area quantitatively and spatially.
Marufuji, Takato; Sato, Takumi; Ito, Hideaki; Suzuki, Hisashi; Fujishima, Tadatsune; Nakano, Tomoyuki
JAEA-Technology 2019-006, 22 Pages, 2019/05
JAEA-Technology-2019-006.pdf:2.84MB
Radioactive contamination incident occurred at Plutonium Fuel Research Facility (PFRF) in Oarai Research and Development Institute, Japan Atomic Energy Agency on June 6, 2017. During inspection work of storage container containing nuclear fuel materials, the PVC bag packaging in the storage container ruptured when a worker opened the lid in the hood, and a part of contents was spattered over the room. The cause of the increase of internal pressure of the storage container was gas generation by alpha radiolysis of the epoxy resin mixed with nuclear fuel materials. Opening inspection of about 70 similar containers stored in PFRF has been planned to confirm the condition of the contents and to stabilize the stored materials containing organic compounds. For safe and reliable open inspection of the storage containers with high internal pressure in the glove box, it is necessary to develop a pressure-resistant chamber in which the storage containers are opened and the contents are inspected under gastight condition. This report summarizes the concerns and countermeasures of the chamber design and the design results of the chamber.
Nakata, Kotaro*; Hasegawa, Takuma*; Solomon, D. K.*; Miyakawa, Kazuya; Tomioka, Yuichi*; Ota, Tomoko*; Matsumoto, Takuya*; Hama, Katsuhiro; Iwatsuki, Teruki; Ono, Masahiko*; et al.
Applied Geochemistry, 104, p.60 - 70, 2019/05
Percentile：100(Geochemistry & Geophysics)no abstracts in English
Kimuro, Shingo; Kirishima, Akira*; Kitatsuji, Yoshihiro; Miyakawa, Kazuya; Akiyama, Daisuke*; Sato, Nobuaki*
Journal of Chemical Thermodynamics, 132, p.352 - 362, 2019/05
Percentile：100(Thermodynamics)A combination of potentiometry and calorimetry was used for the determination of the thermodynamic quantities of complexation of generic and groundwater humic acid (HA), which was isolated from deep groundwater at Horonobe, Hokkaido, Japan, with copper (II) ions and uranyl (VI) ions. The apparent complexation constant of Horonobe HA was independent of the pH, whereas that of generic HA was dependent on the pH. This observation indicates that the polyelectrolyte effect of Horonobe HA is negligible because of its small molecular size. In addition, the effect of the heterogeneity of Horonobe HA was not significant. Moreover, the complexation enthalpy of Horonobe HA was consistent with that of homogeneous poly(acrylic acid), which means the complexation of Horonobe HA was not affected by the functional group heterogeneity. Consequently, the characteristic complexation mechanism of Horonobe HA was revealed based on the determined thermodynamic quantities.
Nakayama, Takuya; Nomura, Mitsuo; Mita, Yutaka; Yonekawa, Hitoshi*; Bunbai, Misako*; Yaita, Yumi*; Murata, Eiichi*; Hosaka, Katsumi*; Sugitsue, Noritake
Proceedings of 2019 International Congress on Advances in Nuclear Power Plants (ICAPP 2019) (Internet), 8 Pages, 2019/05
Clearance of contaminated metal is important for recycling and volume reduction of radioactive waste. Among applicable decontamination technologies, immersion method with ultrasonic cleaning is considered to be effective for metal materials having various shapes. in this study is to demonstrate decontamination of carbon steel contaminated by uranium hexafluoride to the target level for clearance (less than 0.04 Bq/cm
), and minimize secondary waste. In this test, acidic electrolytic water, dilute hydrochloric acid, dilute sulfuric acid and ozone water with various pH and redox potential were used as decontamination solutions to be tested. We found that acidic electrolytic water is effective solution for decontamination of carbon steel contaminated by uranium hexafluoride. It could be decontaminate less than target level for clearance, and reduced secondary waste relatively.
Aoyagi, Kazuhei; Tokiwa, Tetsuya*; Sato, Toshinori; Hayano, Akira
Proceedings of 2019 Rock Dynamics Summit in Okinawa (USB Flash Drive), p.682 - 687, 2019/05
In high-level radioactive disposal projects, it is important to investigate the extent of the excavation damaged zone (EDZ) for safety assessment because EDZ can provide a migration pathway for radionuclides from the facility. To investigate the quantitative differences between EDZs formed because of blasting and mechanical excavation, we studied the characteristics of fractures induced by excavation based on fracture mapping performed during shaft sinking (V- and E-Shafts). As a result, it was found that blasting excavation can lead to the formation of a large number of newly created fractures (EDZ fractures) compared with mechanical excavation. In addition, the seismic velocity (P-wave velocity) measured during blasting excavation (E-Shaft) was lower than that measured during mechanical excavation (V-Shaft). Furthermore, we found that the support pattern that reinforces forward rocks to be appropriate for limiting damage to the shaft wall.
Sato, Toshinori; Aoyagi, Kazuhei; Miyara, Nobukatsu; Aydan, 
mer*; Tomiyama, Jun*; Morita, Tatsuri*
Proceedings of 2019 Rock Dynamics Summit in Okinawa (USB Flash Drive), p.640 - 645, 2019/05
An earthquake with a moment magnitude of 4 occurred in June 20, 2018, which is also named as the 2018 June 20 Soya Region earth-quake. The strong motions induced by this earthquake were recorded by the accelerometers installed in the Horonobe URL as well as the Kik-Net and K-Net strong motions networks operated by the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention of Japan. The authors explain the results of the analyses carried out on the ground amplification and frequency characteristics of the acceleration records at the Horonobe URL and those of the Kik-net strong motion station and the structural effect of the URL on the ground amplification and frequency characteristics. Furthermore, the authors discuss the implications of the results obtained from this study in practice and the safety of the nuclear waste disposal at depth.
Kubota, Kenji*; Aoyagi, Kazuhei; Sugita, Yutaka
Proceedings of 2019 Rock Dynamics Summit in Okinawa (USB Flash Drive), p.729 - 733, 2019/05
During the excavation of shafts and galleries in the deep subsurface for disposing of high-level radioactive waste, an excavation disturbed zone (EdZ) or excavation damaged zone (EDZ) is developed around the shafts and galleries. Such zones could influence the transfer behavior of radioactive nuclides, and it is therefore important to understand the behavior of the EdZ or EDZ. We performed in situ experiments before, during, and after gallery excavation in galleries of 140 and 250 m in depth in an area of soft sedimentary rock in Japan. The results demonstrate that the extent of fractures induced by the gallery excavation related with EDZ was confined to about 0.45 m from the gallery wall in the 140 m gallery and to about 1 m from the gallery wall in the 250 m gallery. The extent of the unsaturated zone related with EdZ was about 1 m in the 140 m gallery, but an unsaturated zone did not appear in the 250 m gallery.
Umezawa, Katsuhiro; Morimoto, Yasuyuki; Nakayama, Takuya; Nakagiri, Toshio
Proceedings of 27th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering (ICONE-27) (Internet), 6 Pages, 2019/05
In December 2016, the Ningyo-toge Environmental Engineering Center of Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA Ningyo-toge) announced new concept of "Uranium and Environmental Research Platform". As part of the concept, uranium waste engineering research are now undergoing. The objective of the research is to establish the processing technology for safely and reasonable disposal of uranium waste. In particular, estimation of the amount of uranium and harmful substances and development of technologies to reduce their concentration in the waste to the permissive level for the disposal in shallow ground disposal are needed. We are now developing the technologies to reduce the concentration of uranium and harmful substances shown below. (1) Survey on uranium inventory. Uranium waste is now stored in 10-odd thousands of 200 L drums. We are surveying amount and chemical form of uranium in the drums. (2) Development of decontamination technology of metal and concrete waste. We are investigating decontamination methods for metals and concrete contaminated with uranium. (3) Development of technologies to remove, detoxify and fix the harmful substances. We are surveying the types and amounts of harmful substances in waste. In addition, we are investigating the method to remove, detoxify, and fix harmful substances. (4) Measurement technology of uranium radioactivity. We are investigating and examining ways to improve the quantitative accuracy of measurement and shorten the measurement time. (5) Development of uranium removal technology from sludge. We are investigating new processing method to remove uranium from sludge which is applicable for several kind of sludge. The results of these technological developments and environmental research will be reflected to "small-scale field test" and "disposal demonstration test" which are planned for demonstration of the uranium waste disposal technology.
Hatano, Nozomi*; Yoshida, Koki*; Sasao, Eiji
Sedimentary Geology, 386, p.1 - 8, 2019/05
Grain size variation of sediments generally complicates the assessment of the degree of chemical weathering. Mineralogical and geochemical research was carried out on Miocene and Pliocene fluvial sediments in southwest Japan to evaluate the effects of grain size on the degree of chemical weathering. We indicated that the Al
O
/SiO ratio may be suitable as a grain size index. Most of the fine-grained sediments have higher CIA values. In contrast, coarse-grained sediments, display a wide range of CIA values. The CIA values for intermediate grain sized samples reflect distinctive differences in the degree of chemical weathering between Miocene and Pliocene sediments. In the intermediate grain sized samples, the Miocene sediments have higher CIA values than Pliocene sediments. To compare the degree of chemical weathering, it is desirable to evaluate with the AlO/SiO ratios limited to the intermediate grain size range.
Yuguchi, Takashi*; Shobuzawa, Kaho*; Ogita, Yasuhiro*; Yagi, Koshi*; Ishibashi, Masayuki; Sasao, Eiji; Nishiyama, Tadao*
American Mineralogist, 104(4), p.536 - 556, 2019/04
Percentile：100(Geochemistry & Geophysics)This study describes the plagioclase alteration process with a focus on the role of micropores, mass transfer and reaction rate in the Toki granitic pluton, central Japan. The plagioclase alteration process involves albitization, K-feldspathization, and the formation of illite, calcite, fluorite and epidote. Such secondary minerals of hydrothermal origin in plagioclase within granitic rocks record the chemical characteristics of the hydrothermal fluid. Our results highlight (1) the nature of micropores such as distribution and volume in plagioclase, (2) the reaction nature of plagioclase alteration inferred by petrography and chemistry, (3) the physical conditions including alteration age and temperature, (4) the sequential variations of the fluid chemistry and (5) the mass transfer rate and reaction rate in the plagioclase alteration.
Tanaka, Kazuya; Kozai, Naofumi; Onuki, Toshihiko; Grambow, B.
Journal of Porous Materials, 26(2), p.505 - 511, 2019/04
In this study, we utilized X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy to clarify the coordination structure of Re in Mg-Al LDH as a surrogate of Tc. Adsorption experiments of ReO
on calcined and uncalcined Mg-Al LDHs were conducted in aqueous solutions with different concentrations of NaCl, NaNO, and NaSO. Calcined Mg-Al LDH showed much higher adsorption than uncalcined one. The adsorption of ReO was reversible, and decreased with increasing concentration of competing anions like Cl, NO, or SO
. Analysis of Re L
-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure indicated that ReO was adsorbed as an outer-sphere complex on Mg-Al LDH. The observed Re adsorption-desorption behavior, which was sensitive to the presence of competing anions, was consistent with the formation of outer sphere-complex.
Hamamoto, Takafumi*; Ishida, Keisuke*; Shibutani, Sanae*; Fujisaki, Kiyoshi*; Tachi, Yukio; Ishiguro, Katsuhiko*; McKinley, I. G.*
Proceedings of 2019 International High-Level Radioactive Waste Management Conference (IHLRWM 2019) (USB Flash Drive), p.77 - 82, 2019/04
C ages and calendar years of Japanese nails measured with accelerator mass spectrometryNagata, Kazahiro*; Furunushi, Yasuko*; Matsubara, Akihiro*; Kokubu, Yoko; Nakamura, Toshio*
Tetsu To Hagane, 105(4), p.488 - 491, 2019/04
Percentile：100(Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering)The Japanese nails had been produced by the traditional ironmaking way of Tatara until the Edo period since the late of 6 Century. The quality of the Japanese nails is affected from steel produced by Tatara in each age. The C ages of 3 Japanese nails collected at shrines and temples at their repair were measured with accelerator mass spectrometry and calibrated to calendar years. Each C age provided plural calendar year periods with definite probabilities, and one of the periods determined in comparison with the history of temples and their repair records. The production ages of nails used in the Daibutuden of the Todaiji temple, the living quarters of the Manjuin temple and the Zaoudo of the Yoshino-Kongoji temple are before 1692, the 12 Century and before 1592, respectively, when they were repaired or reconstructed.
Izumo, Sari; Hayashi, Hirokazu; Nakata, Hisakazu; Amazawa, Hiroya; Motoyama, Mitsushi*; Sakai, Akihiro
JAEA-Technology 2018-018, 39 Pages, 2019/03
JAEA-Technology-2018-018.pdf:2.8MB
JAEA has planed the near surface disposal of LLW generated from research, industrial, and medical facilities. Maximum radioactivity concentration of each waste and total radioactivity of disposed wastes are needed to be less than the permitted values in the license of disposal facility. Thus, it is important not to evaluate the radioactivity of each waste in unduly conservative ways so as to dispose of the total amount of the waste that is originally planned. Accordingly, the detection limit is required to be as low as the clearance level for the very low level radioactive waste planned to be disposed of trench-type. In this report, the feasibility of the non-destructive assay method is studied by model calculations for gamma emitters. It is confirmed that the detection limit less than the clearance level can be achieved as regards the box type metal container that is difficult to measure. This report summarizes the requirements for the non-destructive measuring equipment.
Toguri, Satohito*; Yahagi, Ryoji*; Okihara, Mistunobu*; Takeuchi, Nobumitsu*; Kurosaki, Hiromi*; Matsui, Hiroya
JAEA-Technology 2018-017, 161 Pages, 2019/03
JAEA-Technology-2018-017.pdf:28.26MB
The Japan Atomic Energy Agency has been conducting research on three critical issues for development of: engineering techniques for underground construction, modelling techniques of mass transfer and tunnel backfilling methods at the Mizunami Underground Research Laboratory on the basis of Medium to Long-Term Plan of Japan Atomic Energy Agency. This report describes the overall plan of in-situ test to backfill a part of Mizunami Underground Research Laboratory, which is planned for "development of tunnel backfilling method".
